ASSISTING AND DEFENDING RIGHTS OF WOMEN VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, WOMEN VICTIMS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND WOMEN SEX WORKERS IN THE SOUTH KIVU PROVINCE, DRCONGO

Background/Context Despite the efforts of some organizations and individuals regarding the protection of women rights and Gender, yet women still are victims of many kinds of their rights abuse in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in the south Kivu province. Now, it is time to change the methods and strategies by lining up women with men engaged in women rights at the front Line. African tradition, especially congolese tradition still believe that women have no right to chose their own sexual orientation or to claim their rights officially. On basis of backward customs, the majority of men, especially men from villages still keep women asphyxiated regarding their rights believing that a woman who denounces an abuse or claims officially her rights is a rebell against their custom, unsubordinated, tough, etc. After a series of surveys and interviews on women 500 married women, 200 working women and 100 sex workers women in Bukavu town and nearby villages, in Uvira city and nearby villages and in Misisi mining square ; 447 have been victims of different kinds of domestic violence, 172 women victims of sexual harassment at work and 99 women sex workers have been abused by their clients and insulted by the members of their family, community. All these interviewed women confessed to having been traumatized during these moments regarding violence against them. Sex workers women particularly complain of being always victims of stigma, discrimination and traumatism ; no one cares of their rights, they are considered as cursed and with less value in the community. Some of sex workers interviewed confessed they sometimes feel as if they would abandon their orientation because of trauma but they are afraid their families will reject them. For instance, at the place called KIRONDORONDO and KALIMABENGE in Uvira city, women sex workers confess they accept to make sex with men even for 2,000 congolese francs (less than $1, at least $0,8) for a quick sex, but yet there men who refuse to pay them after sex despite that low price. Unless women sex workers accept to make sex without using condom, then the men can pay arround $10 or more in the mining sites with all risk of AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease. It even happen that men insult them. Many women sex workers confess they have become sex workers because of domestic violence. And, sadly, there is no specific law which protects the rights of sex workers in the DRCongo. Regarding this situation, if nothing is done to protect the rights of these vulnerable women, they will be living in ongoing trauma, troubled psychology and Justice as well as their communities won’t never realize that they must respect orientation and rights of any category of women, please. Reason why we suggest the below actions in order to raise rights of these vulnerable women with your kind support. Purpose : Contribute to protection of the vulnerable women rights despite the social or sexual orientation of each one in the south Kivu province, DRC. Objectives : Raise awareness among at least 150 traditional decision makers and civil society in the Uvira city, Bukavu town and the mining site of Misisi population regarding the respect of orientation and rights of women sex workers, women victims of domestic violence and women victims of sexual harassment at work in the south Kivu province from now to december 2023; Strengthen the capacities of 15 Judges, 15 Lawyers and 20 women’s rights defenders via trainings regarding special protection of congolese women victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment at work in general ; and especially rights of congolese, Rwandese and Burundian sexual workers in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province from now to december 2023; Assist legaly 20 women victims of domestic violence, 10 women victims of sexual harassment at work and 20 women sexual workers at the courts for a specific protection of their rights in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province from now to december 2023 ; Support 20 women victims of domestic violence, 10 women victims of sexual harassment at work and 20 women sexual workers to form themselves 3 mouvements of advocacy for their rights and health in in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province from now to december 2023. Outcomes : 1.At least 150 traditional decision makers and civil society in the Uvira city, Bukavu town and the mining site of Misisi population are awared regarding the respect of orientation and rights of women sex workers, women victims of domestic violence and women victims of sexual harassment at work in the south Kivu province and contribute to stop stigma especially against women sex workers; 2.The capacities of 15 Judges, 15 Lawyers and 20 women’s rights defenders are strengthened via trainings regarding special protection of congolese women victims of domestic violence and sexual harassment at work in general ; and especially rights of congolese, Rwandese and Burundian women sexual workers in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province ; and Judges henceforth provide specific protection to women sex workers rights ; 3. 20 women victims of domestic violence, 10 women victims of sexual harassment at work and 20 women sexual workers ara legally assisted at the courts and benefit from a specific protection of their rights in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province ; 4. 20 women victims of domestic violence, 10 women victims of sexual harassment at work and 20 women sexual workers are supported to form themselves 3 mouvements of advocacy and these movements really campain for respect of the rights and health of these specific categories of abused women in in Uvira city, Bukavu Town and mining site of Misisi in the south Kivu province 
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